Best General South America Travel Guides of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: May 12, 2023

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General South America travel guides are essential for anyone planning a trip to this diverse and fascinating continent. From the lush Amazon rainforest to the vibrant cities of Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, there is so much to see and do in South America. These guides provide valuable information on the best places to visit, where to stay, what to eat, and how to get around. They also offer insights into the local culture and customs, helping travelers to make the most of their experience. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, a general South America travel guide is an invaluable resource for planning your adventure.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands 12 (Travel Guide) Cover #TOP 1
Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands 12 (Travel Guide)
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Lonely Planet Colombia 9 (Travel Guide) Cover #TOP 2
Lonely Planet Colombia 9 (Travel Guide)
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Lonely Planet Argentina 12 (Travel Guide) Cover #TOP 3
Lonely Planet Argentina 12 (Travel Guide)
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 General South America Travel Guides

Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands 12 (Travel Guide)

Albiston, Isabel
Bremner, Jade
Kluepfel, Brian
Morgan, MaSovaida
Yanagihara, Wendy
May 10, 2022
Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands 12 (Travel Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands 12 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet's Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands 12 is an ultimate travel guide for those who want to explore the best of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The guide provides up-to-date information on what to see and what to skip, along with hidden discoveries you may come across. The book also includes insider tips to help you save time and money and get around like a local. With over 60 maps and comprehensive coverage of Quito, Northern Highlands, Central Highlands, Cuenca & the Southern Highlands, The Oriente, North Coast & Lowlands, South Coast, and The Galapagos Islands, this guide is perfect for exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone planning a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

Lonely Planet Colombia 9 (Travel Guide)

Bremner, Jade
Egerton, Alex
Masters, Tom
Raub, Kevin
Dec 21, 2021
Lonely Planet Colombia 9 (Travel Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet Colombia 9 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Colombia 9 (Travel Guide) is a comprehensive guide for travelers who want to explore Colombia. It provides up-to-date information on what to see, where to stay, and how to get around the country. The guide includes insider tips to save time and money, as well as cultural insights on the history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, and politics of Colombia. With over 55 maps, color images, and a pull-out passport-size card with essential travel information, this guide is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled. Overall, Lonely Planet Colombia 9 is a must-have for anyone planning a trip to Colombia.

Lonely Planet Argentina 12 (Travel Guide)

Albiston, Isabel
Brown, Cathy
Clark, Gregor
Egerton, Alex
Grosberg, Michael
Kaminski, Anna
McCarthy, Carolyn
Mutic, Anja
Skolnick, Adam
Mar 1, 2022
Lonely Planet Argentina 12 (Travel Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet Argentina 12 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Argentina 12 (Travel Guide) is a comprehensive guide that offers up-to-date information for travelers to Argentina. The guide covers various topics such as hiking, experiencing gaucho culture, and discovering Buenos Aires’ food scene. It also includes planning tools for family travelers, insider tips, and cultural insights to give a richer, more rewarding travel experience. With over 75 maps and honest reviews for all budgets, this guidebook is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled. Overall, Lonely Planet Argentina 12 is an excellent resource for anyone planning a trip to Argentina.

Galapagos Wildlife: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Animals (Wildlife and Nature Identification)

Kavanagh, James
Waterford Press
Leung, Raymond
Waterford Press
Jan 23, 2018
Galapagos Wildlife: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Animals (Wildlife and Nature Identification) Cover
Galapagos Wildlife: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Animals (Wildlife and Nature Identification)

Galapagos Wildlife: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Animals is a must-have for anyone interested in the unique ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands. With over 140 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, fishes, seashore creatures, and butterflies/insects featured, it is a comprehensive guide. The laminated and lightweight design makes it ideal for field use by eco-tourists visiting the islands. The map highlighting the location of the top 10 most sought-after species is a standout feature. Overall, this guide is an excellent source of portable information, and the simplified introduction to the species makes it ideal for both beginners and experts alike.

The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey (The Che Guevara Library)

Guevara, Ernesto Che
Salles, Walter
Vitier, Cintio
Guevara, Aleida
Seven Stories Press
Jul 16, 2021
The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey (The Che Guevara Library) Cover
The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey (The Che Guevara Library)

The Motorcycle Diaries is an inspiring book that captures the youthful spirit of Che Guevara's journey through Latin America on a vintage motorcycle. This New York Times bestseller is a must-read for anyone interested in Latin American history and the life of Che Guevara. The book includes new material and previously unpublished photos, making it a valuable addition to any bookshelf. The exuberance and joy of one person's youthful belief in the possibilities of humankind are captured in this book, making it a unique and insightful read.

Lonely Planet Peru 11 (Travel Guide)

Sainsbury, Brendan
Egerton, Alex
Johanson, Mark
McCarthy, Carolyn
Tang, Phillip
Waterson, Luke
Dec 21, 2021
Lonely Planet Peru 11 (Travel Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet Peru 11 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Peru 11 (Travel Guide) is a comprehensive travel guide that provides up-to-date information on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you in Peru. It covers everything from exploring the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu to traversing three climatic zones in the Amazonian Parque Nacional Manu. The guide is filled with insider tips to save time and money, essential information at your fingertips, and honest reviews for all budgets. With improved planning tools for family travelers and over 50 maps, this guide is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled.

Lonely Planet Brazil 12 (Travel Guide)

St Louis, Regis
Balkovich, Robert
Clark, Gregor
Egerton, Alex
Ham, Anthony
Kaminski, Anna
Raub, Kevin
Symington, Andy
Jun 7, 2022
Lonely Planet Brazil 12 (Travel Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet Brazil 12 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Brazil 12 is a comprehensive travel guide that offers up-to-date information on the most relevant places to visit in Brazil. It covers all the essential aspects of traveling to Brazil, including planning tools for family travelers, insider tips to save time and money, and cultural insights that offer a richer, more rewarding travel experience. The guide also includes color maps, images, and over 115 maps to help travelers tailor their trips to their personal needs and interests. Overall, Lonely Planet Brazil 12 is a must-have for anyone planning a trip to Brazil.

Conversational Spanish Dialogues: Over 100 Spanish Conversations and Short Stories (Conversational Spanish Dual Language Books)

Lingo Mastery
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
May 4, 2018
Conversational Spanish Dialogues: Over 100 Spanish Conversations and Short Stories (Conversational Spanish Dual Language Books) Cover
Conversational Spanish Dialogues: Over 100 Spanish Conversations and Short Stories (Conversational Spanish Dual Language Books)

This book, Conversational Spanish Dialogues, is a helpful tool for those who want to improve their Spanish speaking skills. It includes over 100 short stories and conversations between two people who are solving common day-to-day problems. The book presents each story in Spanish, followed by an English translation, making sure the reader fully understands the conversation. The introduction and conclusion offer valuable tips and tricks for language learners. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for beginners who want to learn Spanish in a practical and engaging way.

Lonely Planet Guatemala 7 (Travel Guide)

Clammer, Paul
Bartlett, Ray
Brash, Celeste
Lonely Planet
Jul 16, 2019
Lonely Planet Guatemala 7 (Travel Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet Guatemala 7 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Guatemala 7 (Travel Guide) is a comprehensive guidebook that provides readers with up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await them. The book covers everything from ancient Maya heritage and history to cuisine and environmental issues. It includes insider tips to save time and money, essential info at your fingertips, honest reviews for all budgets, and cultural insights to give readers a richer, more rewarding travel experience. This guidebook is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled.

#TOP 10

Lonely Planet South America 15 (Travel Guide)

St Louis, Regis
Albiston, Isabel
Balkovich, Robert
Brash, Celeste
Bremner, Jade
Brown, Cathy
Clark, Gregor
Egerton, Alex
Grosberg, Michael
Ham, Anthony
Johanson, Mark
Kaminski, Anna
Kluepfel, Brian
Masters, Tom
McCarthy, Carolyn
Morgan, MaSovaida
Mutic, Anja
Raub, Kevin
Sainsbury, Brendan
Skolnick, Adam
Smith, Paul
Symington, Andy
Tang, Phillip
Waterson, Luke
Yanagihara, Wendy
Jun 7, 2022
Lonely Planet South America 15 (Travel Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet South America 15 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet South America 15 (Travel Guide) is the ultimate guide for anyone planning to explore South America. With up-to-date information and improved planning tools, this guidebook offers a visually inspiring collection of the best experiences and hidden gems in South America. It also provides insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots. From exploring Patagonian glaciers to dancing the night away in Rio de Janeiro, this guidebook covers everything you need to know about South America. Overall, it is a must-have for budget travelers looking to explore this beautiful continent.

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Editor's Notes

During our general south america travel guide research, we found 1,000+ general south america travel guide products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 23,950 customer reviews through our big data system to write the general south america travel guides list. We found that most customers choose general south america travel guides with an average price of $16.89.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.